While each member of Jinja Safari seems to have taken the band’s post-album hiatus to pursue their own solo/side projects, the one that most captures the exuberance of their mother band continues to be that of co-frontman Pepa Knight. Unveiling his debut single “Rahh!” earlier this year, Knight seems content to lean into the vibrant sun-dappled melodies Jinja Safari are most known for while pressing his own distinctive stamp. On “Clams”, one of the most recent cuts from his upcoming EP Hypnotized Vol. 1, Knight grows quite comfortably into the role of featured vocalist. Digging into his stash of exotic world instruments, “Clams” essentially functions as a showpiece for Pepa Knight’s various talents – his vocals the most showy they’ve ever been while not quite reaching the heights of pop star gymnastics; Knight manages to balance his evident world music influence into something more. “Clams” radiates with the resplendent grandeur of a Lion King cut; Pepa Knight is able to infuse just the right blend of pop zeal to fashion into more than a soundtrack sound-alike.

Hypnotized Vol. 1, Pepa Knight’s debut solo EP ahead of his 2015 slated full length LP, is out November 28th in Australia. Whether or not they’ll be an expanded release remains to be seen but there’s hoping.

When HANAH’s debut single “Out of Touch” arrived with its clear vision and fully formed ideas just a few short months ago, it spoke volumes about the New York based Denver transplant’s patience while confirming her sound judgement. Despite no doubt having the chops to pursue a music project perhaps years earlier, instead she waited until the stars aligned and she was reunited with former Berklee classmate Luca Buccellati (Tei Shi, Yellerkin) and the results are a dynamic synthesis of both of their talents.

While “Out of Touch” was a strong debut–focusing immensely (and rightfully so) on HANAH’s mostly unadorned vocals until the song’s dramatic climax–“Hideaway” goes a different route, blending Taxman’s vocals and piano with Buccellati’s deft hand and subtle touch much earlier. Make no mistake, “Hideaway” is still a showcase for Taxman’s vocals as well it should be but it’s a far better introduction to the electronic-soul genre that HANAH seeks to fully inhabit. Taxman and Buccellati show far greater growth and balance as a pair while Taxman’s own songwriting is more articulately displayed. “Hideaway” solidifies the potential of “Out of Touch” while also offering an excitingly different take on just what HANAH can do. The common thread is still there but ultimately it shows HANAH will be no stranger to innovation – a fact that will no doubt bode well for HANAH’s future output.

One of the hidden gems of the year comes, perhaps unsurprisingly, from down under: Melbourne’s Tom Lansek, one half of Big Scary and now of solo project #1 Dads, hasn’t quite broken onto the American radar as yet but his debut album About Face has been a staple for me these past few weeks. The nine-song album is mostly a sparsely choreographed, intimate listen, and Lansek’s delicate guitar strumming, deft piano and minimal percussion often gently begs for help from fellow vocalists to flesh things out. One such example is album highlight “Return To” on which fellow Aussie Tom Snowon (of Lowlakes) bellows in a way that would make Antony Hegarty proud.

What misleads as a piano-led R&B track quickly shifts gears towards more ethereal balladry, the song’s few elements building around Snowdon’s elegant (and perhaps minimally processed) vocals. Grungy synths, spine-shaking bass and plucky guitar remain tethered to the cloudlike crooning like marionettes: a highly controlled environment presented as spontaneity, with Lansek’s string-pulling only vaguely noticeable. It probably helps that we’re likely familiar with neither Lansek nor Snowdon, but I’m sure I’m not alone in hoping this isn’t a one time coming-together.

Earlier this year, Brooklyn based Aussie duo High Highs loosed “Movement” – the first single from the then untitled follow up to their debut full length Open Season. It was a sparse, somber gem that manages to shuck the twosome’s trademark dream-pop stylings without being all that dramatic of a departure. Now in “Ocean to City”, the title track from their upcoming 3 song EP, the pop elements make their triumphant return. High Highs’ talents have always lied in their ability to take pair their beautiful, languid melodies with just the right amount of forward momentum.

“Ocean to City” manages to dial that up a few notches – arriving at an artfully more poppy direction than even the most infectious Open Season cuts. And yet in what is becoming their signature High Highs handles the increased tempo with absolute delicacy and grace. It’s a downright rush of sound, a deluge of synths but High Highs gentle care ensures that it never reaches the apex of aural onslaught, instead arriving as multi-layered pop masterwork. It’s catchy and hints at just enough of a change of direction from the duo to excite at High Highs’ continued progress. Their second full length may be ways away but “Ocean to City” reveals High Highs have just enough tricks up to their sleeve to avoid another slow burner.

One of the joys of following along with Portals’ ongoing traveling showcase Living Spaces has been the ability to not only to discover new artists I haven’t seen before but to engage with those who’ve made their mark previously play in smaller, more intimate venues. The fact that it’s with a bunch of people just as receptive and excited to be there is a definite plus. One such artist – singer/songwriter Julie Byrne (whose beautiful record Rooms With Walls and Windows helped ring in the new year) is one of those artists I’ve been able to catch multiple times mostly in part to Portals’ shared love of her.

While there’s no word yet on whether or not a new Julie Byrne record is in the works, those in attendance at the inaugural Living Spaces show at Brooklyn’s The Silent Barn were in for a treat. First, Byrne went electric. Secondly, Byrne captivated the crowd with a new track by the name of “Natural Blue” and while no one caught it at the time, Byrne was able to commit it to tape (or in this case video) when she flew across the pond to play at this year’s Green Man Festival.

“Natural Blue” is one part beguiling folk idyll and one part showpiece – not in that it’s all flashy but the nature of its very construction spotlights the absolute beauty of Byrne’s vocals that are perfectly complimentary to the nature-invoking travelogue/love song. It’s stunningly simplistic; virtually unadorned and entrancing solely on the virtues of Byrne’s ineffable talent but a wonderful example of what is so magical about Byrne as a performer.

Floats Above The Rest

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